December Newsletter
Dear Parents
Kia Ora Tena Koutou Katoa
It is hard to realise that another year is nearing completion,
and that this will be the last newsletter for 1996. This letter
will provide some detail regarding the arrangements for the next
couple of weeks, as well as mentioning some of the start of year
arrangements for next year.
ACTIVITIES WEEK:
Next week, commencing 25 November, many students will be
away from the school campus on a range of Outdoor Education
activities. It is a very big responsibility, taking students away
from school, in many cases on over-night programmes. Some involve
activities where there is some risk, and the environment may be
different from that students are used to. I ask for parents'
support in emphasising to those going away that behaviour must be
such that no-one puts themselves or others at risk. In previous
years we have been extremely pleased with the way students have
responded to the challenges of these types of activities, and we
are confident this year will be no exception. Your support in
stressing the importance of this is appreciated.
As has been the case in previous years, there will also be many
students who will be participating in school-based activities
during the week. This in-school programme is carefully designed
to offer useful instruction in basic subjects, and provide
students with new opportunities and experiences. While
appreciating that some students are disappointed at having missed
out on one of the away-from-school activities, we also want to
emphasise that what is offered at school is both valuable and
interesting.
In the afternoons there will be a variety of practical and
physical activities ranging from roller-blading and softball
through to rhythm, computer studies, tennis, swimming and table
tennis. To supplement the Science aspects of the programme all
students have the opportunity to select a "STAR"
funded day-long course at Northland Polytechnic from Microscopy,
Environmental Testing, Blood Biology, Electronics and Young
Family. There are no charges for any of these opportunities,
apart from $5 for an hour of roller blading for those who choose
to participate, to cover the costs of equipment hireage.
The canteen will be open throughout the week as usual.
Attendance on Monday to Thursday November 25 - 28 is compulsory.
Students not involved in an outdoor activity are expected to
attend school every day unless there are legitimate reasons such
as sickness. Staff will be responding to student absence by
telephoning parents, and it would be appreciated that in cases of
legitimate absence (for sickness, for example) the office is
notified early in the morning. Buses will run as normal, and we
are expecting students to wear uniform.
In some cases, parents have requested permission for students to
be absent from school for exceptional reasons. As always, we ask
that formal approval be sought for such absence by writing a
letter to me, outlining the nature of the absence and the days
affected.
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FRIDAY 29 NOVEMBER:
It has been decided that we will invite Form 3 and 4
students to remain at home on this day. The outdoor activities
all finish on Thursday - in a number of cases having started on
Sunday - and it is highly likely these students, and the staff
who took them away, will be very tired. It is also the clearance
day for Year 11 and 13 students, and so inevitably quite
disruptive to normal classes. Any students who do come to school
will be offered a modified programme of instruction.
LAST WEEK PROGRAMME:
Monday 2 December to Wednesday 4 December are the final
school days for students for the year, and there is a full
programme for them on each of those days. There will be normal
timetabled classes each morning. On Monday afternoon there will
be a Merit Award assembly, when we have the opportunity to issue
students with certificates to recognise their class efforts and
other special achievements. On Tuesday afternoon there will be
tabloid sports and a concert, and then on Wednesday, commencing
at 1.30pm, the Junior Prize Giving. All parents are invited to
this important occasion for the Junior school. Parking is
available on the field, and you are requested to be seated by
1.15pm. you can expect the ceremony to be completed by
approximately 3.15pm, and buses will run at the normal time.
This will be the final day of attendance for students.
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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT:
The Senior Prize Giving, held last Friday, was an
opportunity for us to recognise the major achievements of senior
students in 1996. The major award winners were:
Sportswoman of the Year Kushla Chapman Sportsman of the Year Scott Hooson Second place in Year 11 Scott Andrews First place in Year 11 Jessica Kerr First equal place in Year 12 Debra Comrie David Postlewaight Second place in Year 13, and Proxime Accessit to Dux Gregory Smith Dux of Kamo High School - 1996 Raymond Chan
Congratulations to all of these students, and the many others
who were recognised last week.
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PARENT REQUEST:
The Ag/Hort course is in need of glass house and
hot house facilities for propagation. Anyone who is able to
assist is asked to contact Terry Baker at the school. Our Ag/Hort
courses have proved very successful and very popular, and there
is a similar need for a wide range of equipment and tools to
cater for the increasing number of students who are studying the
subject. If any parents feel they have items which may help
please contact Terry at the school.
START OF
YEAR ARRANGEMENTS - 1997
As occurred this year, we intend posting material
to every family during the week beginning January 13. This will
include a Newsletter, a copy of the Calendar for the year,
material related to senior assessment, and detail regarding some
sporting matters. If anyone does not receive a copy of this
material by the following week - beginning 20 January, I invite
you to contact the school office to request it. It is also timely
for me to ask that you advise us of any changes of address which
may affect our ability to contact you. Previous experience
suggests we will have a significant number of this posting
returned "address unknown". You may check the address
we have on file for you by contacting the school office during
normal office hours.
We will also be placing advertisements in the Northern Advocate
outlining key dates and start of year events. For your
information, I provide again the information for those first few
days contained in the last Newsletter.
Starting dates for the year are:
Tuesday 28 January - 11.45am Year 13 Registration, followed by Leadership Camp Wednesday 29 January - 9.00am Year 9 Welcome and Powhiri Year 13 Leadership Camp continues Thursday 30 January Year 9 - normal school day Year 12 - Form Period, then timetabled classes commence Year 13 - completion of leadership camp until mid-day Friday 1 February Full school for start of full timetable.
One important point which needs stressing again is that it is
expected students will study the course they have already
selected. It is only in exceptional circumstances that we will
allow a course change at the beginning of the year. If there is
any need to do so, discussions relating to course change should
have already taken place with Mrs Beauregard. In the event of
events occurring during the holiday period which makes change
essential, students should contact Mrs Beauregard
on Friday 24 January.
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STATIONERY:
Inevitably there will be costs incurred as students
start their new year. We are very conscious of this, and try hard
to keep expenses to a minimum. One item which you may like to
consider purchasing through the school is your sons' and
daughters' stationery. We operate through the
"EasiShop" franchise, and this means our prices are
highly competitive. For the student, the convenience of buying
through the school at excellent prices has the further advantage
of knowing they will be buying correct stationery, and if there
is a problem of any sort the school will be standing behind each
product.
BUILDING DEVELOPMENTS:
With our roll continuing to grow, we continue to
need additional teaching space, as well as specialist facilities
and other areas. It is pleasing to be able to report that tenders
have been called for a new building equivalent to two teaching
spaces, which will be erected attached to "E Block". It
is excellent that the Ministry is responding to our needs by
listening to our requests and providing something which will be
uniquely Kamo High School. The opening of this complex, which
will occur early next year, will provide an opportunity for the
community to look over the new complex.
Mr de Vere, The Board of
Trustees Chairman, and I will be taking part in discussions with
the Ministry of Education (Property Division) later this month,
along with representatives from the other secondary schools in
Whangarei. The purpose of these meetings will be to establish how
the various schools can meet the needs of secondary school
students in the city over the next ten or so years. I am looking
forward to our being able to see clearly the long-term
implications of the increased student numbers, as it affects our
school, and for us to be in a better position to plan to meet the
needs of those who choose to attend Kamo High School.
As I stated last year, the Board of Trustees and the staff are
determined that the increase in our roll will in no way
compromise the standards we insist on, or the ideals we hold as
fundamental to the school. Although there may be some additional
demands caused by greater numbers, we are all committed to the
value placed on such things as the importance of the individual
within the institution, the need for a strong and supportive
structure to guide students through their formative teenage
years, and the basic expectation that the school is listening to,
and responding to its community. The way in which we have been
able to achieve so much this year is a direct reflection on the
quality of the staff and students, and the excellent relationship
which exists between these two groups, as well as the commitment
from so many people who make up our community.
We will not compromise our standards, nor allow factors such as
size to take away the very personal and special nature of our
school. Your support, and contribution in putting these
principles into practice is appreciated for what it has helped us
achieve in the past, and requested to ensure we continue to
develop in the future.
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PARENT-TEACHER
ASSOCIATION:
This year has again seen a very positive and active
PTA, with regular monthly meetings to discuss a variety of
matters. Normally these meetings are held on the first Wednesday
of the month, but the next and final meeting for the year will be
on Monday 2 December, commencing at 7.30pm.
FINAL DATES:
25 - 28 November Activities Week 29 November Form 3 and 4 students not at school Year 11 and 13 students clear 2 December Junior Merit Assemblies PTA - final meeting for 1996 4 December Junior Prize Giving Final day for Form 3 and 4 students 13 January, 1997 Posting to all parents
Finally, may I thank everyone for the support and co-operation
we have received this year. It has been a very challenging year,
but one in which a lot has been achieved. As always for us, the
highlights revolve around the amazing students we have, and the
positive and responsible way in which the vast majority of them
contribute to the school.
The staff join with me in wishing you all the compliments of the
season.
E noho ra
Richard L Abel
21 November 1996
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